The team at MSK Health and Performance Clinics consists of professionals who have extensive experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions. They understand that MSK health is an important aspect of human movement and freedom of movement. The clinic offers various treatment options that can help you avoid or reduce aches and pains. In addition to traditional therapies, digital tools like virtual care and virtual physical therapy are now available.
Regular exercise and a healthy weight are two ways to maintain healthy MSKs. Exercise reduces the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, and a balanced diet promotes bone health. Vitamin D and calcium are important dietary components for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Hence, patients with MSK conditions need to consume adequate amounts of these nutrients.
Taking care of your MSKs is essential to maintain good health and a productive life. Good health contributes to balance, mobility, and co-ordination. It also enhances strength and helps people to perform tasks more comfortably. Good MSK health is essential for almost all types of work, as poor health of these areas can affect the productivity of an individual. Approximately 8.9 million days are lost annually due to MSK-related conditions, and poor health impacts employers, employees, and the wider population.
Implementing a multi-sectoral approach is essential for enhancing MSK health. The strongest accelerator supports a multi-sectoral approach that includes community engagement, education, and partnerships between government and non-government organizations. In addition, the strongest accelerator supports a comprehensive approach to prevention and management of MSK conditions. Most KIs in HICs discussed this accelerator. The strongest accelerator also supports value-based health systems and is focused on improving access to quality care.
A standardized musculoskeletal health literacy assessment has been validated by Arthritis Research UK. It has been used in urban settings and in studies with people with musculoskeletal conditions. A recent study conducted in South Bronx, New York, showed that it is reliable and useful in urban settings. This questionnaire also helps researchers understand the causes of health disparities.
The poor MSK health of millions of people limits their independence and the ability to participate in everyday life. A recent report by Versus Arthritis found that 59.4% of working age people have at least one MSK condition. In addition, about one in five adults with arthritis suffers from depression. Furthermore, MSK-related problems were the second-leading cause of sickness absence among workers in 2020, accounting for 20.8 million days of work and 17.5% of total sickness absence.
KIs strongly support the development of a global strategy to improve MSK health. The strategy must be inclusive of all stakeholders and be applicable across the lifecycle. It should also be flexible enough to adapt to regional variations in economic development and health priorities.
